1 AND it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel.
8 ¶ And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

1And it came to passe in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Iewes, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Iewes, and also of the Greekes, beleeued.

2But the vnbeleeuing Iewes stirred vp the Gentiles, and made their mindes euill affected against the brethren.

3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gaue testimonie vnto the word of his grace, and granted signes and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was diuided: and part held with the Iewes, and part with the Apostles.

5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Iewes, with their rulers, to vse them despitefully, and to stone them,

6They were ware of it, and fled vnto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and vnto the region that lyeth round about.

7And there they preached the Gospell.

8 And there sate a certaine man at Lystra, impotent in his feete, being a creeple from his mothers wombe, who neuer had walked.

9The same heard Paul speake: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiuing that he had faith to be healed,

10Said with a lowd voice, Stand vpright on thy feete; And he leaped and walked.

11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lift vp their voyces, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come downe to vs in the likenesse of men.

12And they called Barnabas Iupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because hee was the chiefe speaker.

13Then the priest of Iupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen, and garlands vnto the gates, and would haue done sacrifice with the people.

14Which when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard of, they rent their clothes, and ranne in among the people, crying out,

15And saying, Sirs, Why doe yee these things? Wee also are men of like passions with you, and preach vnto you, that ye should turne from these vanities, vnto the liuing God, which made heauen and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.

16Who in times past, suffred all nations to walke in their owne wayes.

17Neuerthelesse, he left not himselfe without witnesse, in that he did good, and gaue vs raine from heauen, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladnesse.

18And with these sayings scarse restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice vnto them.

19 And there came thither certaine Iewes from Antioch and Iconium, who perswaded the people, and hauing stoned Paul, drew him out of the citie, supposing he had beene dead.

20Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose vp, and came into the citie, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned againe to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22Confirming the soules of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, aud that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdome of God.

23And when they had ordeined them Elders in euery Church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they beleeued.

24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went downe into Attalia,

26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God, for the worke which they fulfilled.

27And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the doore of faith vnto the Gentiles.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

III == Mark 16:20 ; Heb 2:4

IV == Acts 13:3

V == 2nd Tim 3:11

VI == Matt 10:23

VIII == Acts 3:2

IX == Matt 8:10 ; 9:28-29

X == Isa 35:6

XI == Acts 8:10 ; 28:6

XIII == Dan 2:46

XIV == Matt 26:65

XV == Gen 1:1 ; 1st Sam 12:21 : Ps 33:6 ; 146:6 ; Rev 14:7 ; 19:10

XVI == Ps 81:12 ; Acts 17:30 ; 1st Peter 4:3

XVII == Lev 26:4 ; Deut 11:14 ; 28:12 ; Job 5:10 ; Ps 65:10 ; 68:9 ; 147:8

XIX == Acts 13:45 ; 2nd Cor 11:25 ; 2nd Tim 3:11

XXI == Matt 28:19

XXII == Matt 10:38 ; 16:24 ; Luke 22:28-29 ; 2nd tim 2:11-12 ; 3:12

XXIII == Titus 1:5

XXVI == Acts 13:1 , 3 ; 15:40

XXVII ==Acts 21:19 ; Rev 3:8

1 In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe, 2 although the disbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 So they stayed for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word about his grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands. 4 The people of the city were divided: some were with the Jews; others, with the apostles. 5 When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone them, 6 they realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, 7 where they continued to proclaim the good news. 8 At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, 10 and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet." He jumped up and began to walk about. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in human form." 12 They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes," because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. 14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 "Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, 'who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.' 16 In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; 17 yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts." 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. 19 However, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." 23 They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. 24 Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. 25 After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. 27 And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

v1,2. Iconium is 120 miles SE of Antioch of Pisidia. At Iconium Paul and Barnabas continue the policy of going to the synagogue to preach, and both Jews and Gentiles are saved. It is not stated the method the unbelieving Jews used to arouse the resentment of the Gentiles.
v3. Undaunted, the apostles spoke boldly and the Lord confirmed their message with signs and wonders. The Jews could deny the message but not the miracles.
v4. Jesus had warned that the preaching of the gospel would divide, Lk. 12:51-53.
v5-7. With certain injury and death from approaching Jews and Gentiles, it was wise to depart, so they just continued preaching in Lystra, ten miles south of Iconium.
v8-10. Probably no synagogue here so the Lord used the healing of this man, lame from birth (like unsaved who cannot help themselves), to get the attention of the people and afford opportunity to preach.
v11. In line with heathen beliefs that gods came down to man, tradition here was that Jupiter and Mercury had come down and visited Lycaon, so this province was named Lycaonia. They worshiped an idol to Jupiter at their city gate.
v12. Mercury was considered the messenger of the Gods and traveled with his Father, Jupiter. Thus these idolatrous people considered Mercury to be Paul, the speaker, and Jupiter to be Barnabas
v 13-15a.  Wreaths were woolen garlands, sometimes leaves or flowers, placed on the necks of the bulls to be sacrificed. Paul and Barnabas could not understand their dialect of the Greek, but when they saw what was happening, they showed their revulsion by tearing their clothes as they ran among them (Usually rips a few inches long along the neck line) crying out, in standard Greek, that they were just men also.
v 15b-17. Note the change of tactic in preaching to those who were not acquainted with the Scriptures. They had to tell them of the God of creation, the real God (not Jupiter as they thought) that provides rain, (nor as they thought, Mercuries) food and happiness. In our classes we need to lay a lot more ground work of who God is, what sin is and what God is doing about it for those who have never been in church than for those who have grown up with that knowledge. It is highly suspect if a child who has never heard anything about the Bible professes salvation after just a few minutes of teaching that has not covered those things. They may realize they need to be saved, but have no idea from what or to whom.
v18. Language difficulties may have been a factor, but the biggest hurdle was the extreme cultist superstition of the people. Paul did not mention Christ here. Their urgency was to make sure they were not worshiped as gods.
v19. Uncertain how long they were there before we see the extreme hatred of the Jews to come to this town to destroy Paul as well as the fickleness of the people who would have sacrificed to him and now stone him to the point of death. Obviously the instigation was by the Jews, because stoning was their method of execution.
v20. Perhaps this is what Paul refers to in 2 Cor. 12:1-4 as being caught up to the third heaven. At any rate, God brought about a miraculous recovery and the next day they were able to continue on to Derbe.
v21-22. There was no persecution in the more remote Derbe, so after an effective ministry there, they back track to do follow up work. The natural thing for Paul to do would have been to just go 160 miles farther east to his home town of Tarsus, but he felt a greater need to encourage the believers in the places he had been forced to leave so abruptly. There were some believers in each of these towns, so they were instructed in faithfulness and the knowledge that persecutions would come.
v23. Another purpose in returning was so the churches would not be left without leadership. In starting churches, the Apostles appointed elders. In organized churches the church appointed representatives, 2 Cor. 8:19.
We can be sure that  the elders were not simply new converts chosen on the basis of zeal and popularity or charisma as is too frequently done today. These would have been Jews who already had a great knowledge of Scripture, but with the new knowledge of the Savior added to it. How sad to see churches appoint teachers who are themselves novices, babes in Christ and needing to be taught first. Likewise some pastors are saved, go to Bible college and take a church, when they have never been consistently in home church services, in a youth meeting, camp or DVBS, and never sat in on a church business meeting. In other cases someone gets saved and immediately put on a deacon board or other responsible position (1 Tim. 3:6).
v24-26. Except for the Isle of Cyprus, they back track to their sending church at Antioch, having fulfilled their work as God allowed. They spent about a year on the mission field, then more than a year back in Antioch.
v27-28. The first time missionaries report back to the home church of the things accomplished. Do not fault missionaries if they do not see in their lifetime the results that Paul and Barnabas saw. We don’t see 3000 won in a day either. We are to faithfully sow, allowing God to give the increase. The crowning achievement here was that the door was now open to the Gentiles. Paul probably wrote Galatians soon after this and before the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15.